Derek Stepan has 15 points in April to lead the New York Rangers' offensive resurgence. / Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports

Some battles to be decided in the final week of the NHL regular season:

First in the Northeast: The Boston Bruins lead because they have played one fewer game than the Montreal Canadiens. Bruins winger Nathan Horton and defenseman Adam McQuaid missed Sunday's game and are day-to-day. The Bruins play two playoff teams among their last four games, while the Canadiens play one in their last three games.

First in the Southeast: The Washington Capitals have a three-point edge on the Winnipeg Jets, who received bad injury news Sunday. Defenseman Zach Bogosian, hit hard by the New York Islanders' Kyle Okposo in his last game, and Olli Jokinen (high ankle sprain) didn't join the team on its trip. The Jets visit the Buffalo Sabres Monday before heading to Washington on Tuesday in a game that will determine their postseason chances. Washington's Alex Ovechkin, who has scored 32 and 38 goals the previous two seasons, has 30 in this lockout-shortened season. Former Capital Peter Bondra led the 48-game 1994-95 season with 34 goals.

Eighth in the Eastern Conference: The New York Rangers, who ended the defending Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils' playoff chances Sunday, lead the Jets by three points and are on a roll. After struggling to score earlier this season, the Rangers have 41 goals in 11 games in April. Derek Stepan has 15 points during the month and Rick Nash has 12. Ryan Callahan scored twice Sunday to give him five goals and six assists.

First in the Northwest: The Vancouver Canucks are poised to win for the fifth year in a row, especially with the Minnesota Wild slumping.

First in the Pacific: The Anaheim Ducks all but clinched after ending a four-game skid by beating the Edmonton Oilers 3-1. The Los Angeles Kings have a long shot.

Fourth in the West: Home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs is being chased by the Kings, San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues. A Sharks-Kings game Saturday night could determine the winner.

Eighth in the West: This is the biggest battle, with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes alive. The Wild's playoff position isn't safe. Though the Blue Jackets have a three-point edge in eighth place, they have two games left. The Red Wings have four, the Stars three and the Coyotes four. The Red Wings hold the key with games against the Coyotes and Stars.